Patent US4021646A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3810474A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3810474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tubing
Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
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Filing: 1972-09-21
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Granted: 1974-05-14
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Expires: 1992-09-21
Abstract
Abstract An endotracheal tube has an inflatable cuff of undulatory bellows-like configuration to provide spaced circumferential convolutions, whereby cuff contact in establishing a labyrinth seal with the intubated patient''s trachea is restricted to narrow bands so as to reduce the extent, and consequential healing-time, of any pressure-induced necrosis. A cuff convoluted over only part of its length is provided on a tracheostomy tube, and alternative configurations of cuff of partially-convoluted form and involving cylindrical shoulders of different lengths, are used for endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes. The cuff in each case is inflated from an air-line that includes a pilot balloon and is coupled into a passageway which is incorporated in the tube wall and which opens through the wall into the cuff.
Inventors
- 👤 D Cross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0465; A61M16/0434; A61M16/0443; A61M16/0445; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1002; A61M16/0488; A61M16/0497; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/32; B; B29; B29C; B29C2949/00; B29C2949/07; B29C2949/079; B29C2949/08; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/25; B29K2105/253; B29K2105/258; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/005; B29L2023/007; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
In a medico-surgical device having an inflatable balloon cuff for introduction into the body to effect a seal therein, the improvement wherein the cuff includes means for providing a convoluted external surface to the inflated cuff to restrict cuff contact with the body throughout said seal to discrete bands, the convolution of said external surface in said inflated cuff comprising a series of at least three mutually-spaced crest portions with intervening recess portions to provide said bands of contact occluding the intervening recesses from one another in the seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a medico-surgical device having an inflatable balloon cuff for introduction into the body to effect a seal therein, the improvement wherein the cuff includes means for providing a convoluted external surface to the inflated cuff to restrict cuff contact with the body throughout said seal to discrete bands, the convolution of said external surface in said inflated cuff comprising a series of at least three mutually-spaced crest portions with intervening recess portions to provide said bands of contact occluding the intervening recesses from one another in the seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the cuff has a wall of regularly configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 1 including a length of tubing, and wherein the cuff encompasses a portion of the tubing and has said crest portions spaced axially of the tubing from one another with each crest portion encircling the tubing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein the said crests portions occupy only part of the cuff length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein the tubing wall incorporates a passageway communicating with the interior of the cuff for inflation purposes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
An endotracheal tube comprising a length of tubing, a convoluted sleeve surrounding a portion of the tubing coaxially near one end of said tubing, said sleeve being sealed at both of its ends to said tubing to provide a balloon cuff encompassing said portion of the tubing with axially-spaced circumferential convolutions, and means coupled to the interior of the cuff for conveying fluid to inflate the cuff, said cuff at least when inflated having by virtue of said convolutions a series of at least three circumferential outwardly-directed crest portions spaced axially from one another for contacting the tracheal wall in discrete bands.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
An endotracheal tube comprising a length of tubing, a convoluted sleeve surrounding a portion of the tubing coaxially near one end of said tubing, said sleeve being sealed at both of its ends to said tubing to provide a balloon cuff encompassing said portion of the tubing with axially-spaced circumferential convolutions, and means coupled to the interior of the cuff for conveying fluid to inflate the cuff, said cuff at least when inflated having by virtue of said convolutions a series of at least three circumferential outwardly-directed crest portions spaced axially from one another for contacting the tracheal wall in discrete bands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
An endotracheal tube according to claim 6 wherein one of said crest portions of said cuff comprises a cylindrical shoulder portion located beyond the others of said circumferential crest portions towards said one end of the tubing, and wherein the shoulder portion and the said others of said crest portions have substantially the same diameter as one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
A tracheostomy tube comprising a curved length of tubing having a distal end for insertion into a patient''s trachea through the neck, attachment means coupled to the other, proximal end of the tubing for use in securing the tube externally at the patient''s neck, an inflatable cuff encompassing a portion of the tubing near the said distal end, and means coupled to the interior of the cuff for conveying air to inflate the cuff, said cuff having a convOluted wall surrounding said portion of the tubing and including a series of at least three axially-spaced circumferential crest portions for contacting the patient''s trachea at discrete positions to provide a labyrinth seal therewith when the cuff is inflated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
A tracheostomy tube comprising a curved length of tubing having a distal end for insertion into a patient''s trachea through the neck, attachment means coupled to the other, proximal end of the tubing for use in securing the tube externally at the patient''s neck, an inflatable cuff encompassing a portion of the tubing near the said distal end, and means coupled to the interior of the cuff for conveying air to inflate the cuff, said cuff having a convOluted wall surrounding said portion of the tubing and including a series of at least three axially-spaced circumferential crest portions for contacting the patient''s trachea at discrete positions to provide a labyrinth seal therewith when the cuff is inflated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tracheostomy tube according to claim 8 wherein the cuff wall includes a cylindrical shoulder portion and a plurality of narrow circumferential crests, said shoulder portion being located distally of the said narrow circumferential crests, and wherein the shoulder portion and the said narrow crests have substantially the same diameter as one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-13 | 1977-11-12 | 1978-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-13 | 1981-11-12 | 1982-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-13 | 1985-11-12 | 1986-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |